This One-pot Paprika Chicken and Rice is a weeknight dream! Juicy chicken thighs are marinated in simple spices, seared to perfection, then simmered with tomato paste and stock until the rice is fluffy and full of flavour. A no-fuss, one-pan meal that's both quick and easy. Serve it with a fresh cucumber salad or your favourite veggies.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time50 minutesmins
Total Time55 minutesmins
Ingredients
CHICKEN
1.2kgbone-in chicken thigh cutlets, skin on (see note 1)
2tbspolive oil
1tbspdried herbs (oregano, thyme or Italian herb mix)
1tbspsweet paprika
1tsponion powder
½tspsmoked paprika
½tspfreshly cracked black pepper
½tspsea salt flakes
1onion, finely diced
4garlic cloves, finely chopped
2tbsptomato paste
300gwhite rice (jasmine or basmati)
750mlchicken stock
Fresh coriander (cilantro) or flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, roughly chopped, to serve (optional)
CUCUMBER SALAD
3Lebanese (short) cucumbers, finely sliced
1lemon, juiced
½tspsea salt flakes
½tspfreshly cracked black pepper
3tbspsour cream
Instructions
Preheat – Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) (all oven types).
Coat the chicken – In a large bowl, coat the chicken with the olive oil, dried herbs, sweet paprika, onion powder, smoked paprika, pepper and salt. Use your hands to ensure even coverage.
Sear the chicken – In an oven-safe, heavy-based frying pan, sear the chicken on medium heat for 3–5 minutes until golden and crispy (see note 2). Set aside.
Add the onion and garlic – In the same pan, add the onion and garlic (see note 2 if the pan is sticky). Cook for 1–2 minutes until softened.
Add the tomato paste and rice – Add the tomato paste and rice, stirring to combine. Pour in the chicken stock.
Cook the chicken – Return the chicken to the pan, ensuring the skin is facing up. Cover the pan tightly with a lid or foil. Bake for 35 minutes in the oven.
Finish – Remove the cover and bake for another 10 minutes. Allow the dish to rest, covered, for 10 minutes before serving, and top with fresh herbs if using.
Make the cucumber salad and serve – Combine all ingredients and serve with the chicken and rice.
Notes
Note 1 – This recipe is not suited for chicken breast (it will dry out). A great substitute is boneless chicken thighs, which will cook faster. Add them to the rice 20 minutes into baking.Note 2 – If the pan is sticky after searing the chicken, deglaze it by adding 60 ml (¼ cup) of water over high heat, scraping up the crispy bits. Continue with the recipe as directed.
MAKE AHEAD
Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.
LEFTOVERS
Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.
Nutrition Facts
One-pot Paprika Chicken and Rice
Amount per Serving
Calories
1051
% Daily Value*
Fat
57
g
88
%
Saturated Fat
15
g
94
%
Trans Fat
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
11
g
Monounsaturated Fat
26
g
Cholesterol
257
mg
86
%
Sodium
945
mg
41
%
Potassium
1408
mg
40
%
Carbohydrates
83
g
28
%
Fiber
6
g
25
%
Sugar
8
g
9
%
Protein
54
g
108
%
Vitamin A
2005
IU
40
%
Vitamin C
26
mg
32
%
Calcium
158
mg
16
%
Iron
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.